3 ways new technologies will make the aging process easier

Even 50 years ago, people navigating the aging process would have been jealous of the technologies that seniors in the present day can access. But now, with technology developing faster than ever, the next few years should bring a sea change in seniors' ability to engage with the world and monitor their own health. Here are a few technologies that should have the greatest impact, according to the Huffington Post:

Automated driving technology. Getting behind the wheel can be one of the scariest things for people to do as they age. Declining vision and reflexes put seniors at a greater risk of a crash. This is why self-driving cars, like those currently being developed by Tesla and BMW, will be such a help in the aging process. In the meantime, "talking" street signs that broadcast what the sign reads out loud through your car's Bluetooth system can also help seniors maintain their independence while driving.

Medical apps. More and more doctors are offering visits through video calling apps like Skype, which allows people in poor health to spare themselves the difficulty of driving or taking public transit to the doctor. Meanwhile, the "My Recovery" app helps patients prepare for and recover from major surgeries.

Robot caretakers. At first, the thought of using robots to help elderly patients may seem overly cold and clinical, but when you think about how much better they are than humans at performing tasks like lifting a person out of bed, they start to sound like a better idea. Having robots do the grunt work of seniors' clinical care frees up their doctors and relatives to focus on the technical and emotional aspects of caring for them.